"You!"
Grand Tutor Rong glared at her in frustration, while Rong Su kowtowed repeatedly, her forehead thudding against the floor. "Father, your daughter has long admired the Chief Minister. Even if I cannot be his principal wife, I would be content just to serve by his side. I beg you to grant me this wish!"
Grand Tutor Rong turned away with a flick of his sleeve, but An Sheng reached out to help Rong Su up. "Good child, rise quickly."
"Imperial Brother, since both young ones are willing, why not set a date soon—"
"I refuse." Yan Zheng's icy voice cut through the air.
An Sheng narrowed her eyes. "Zheng’er, think carefully before you speak."
Yan Zheng scoffed, raising an eyebrow mockingly.
He had been forced to make many sacrifices in his dealings with An Sheng—his own life, Yan Zhao's life—all in the hope of minimizing the devastation of this upheaval.
But that didn’t mean he lacked the power to fight back. He could endure sacrificing himself, but if An Sheng dared to drag Chu Ruoyan into this, he would rather see everything burn than yield.
A dark fury flashed in his eyes, but just then, a clear voice rang out. "Princess Changle congratulates the Chief Minister and the Second Miss Rong."
Yan Zheng froze, turning in surprise.
Chu Ruoyan stood there, her gaze steady, her eyes silently telling him it was alright.
His lips parted as if to speak, but she raised a finger and lightly pressed it to her lips.
In an instant, memories of that day flooded back—
She had promised to repay her debt to him.
She had said… she wanted him to return alive so she could fulfill that promise.
A surge of emotion tightened his chest. Yan Zheng finally closed his eyes and said nothing more.
An Sheng’s satisfaction was barely concealed as she turned to the emperor, her lips curving upward. "Imperial Brother, since they are so willing, why not grant them this union?"
Though the emperor didn’t understand his sister’s urgency, he saw two advantages: first, Yan Zheng was of imperial blood and ought to continue the lineage, and second, this would silence the barbarian princess once and for all!
So he nodded in agreement.
An Sheng pressed further, "The eighth day of the month, three days from now, is an auspicious date. Why not set the wedding for then? If Princess Meng Ji has not yet left the capital, she is also welcome to join the celebration."
Meng Ji glared at the woman, her hatred so intense she could have killed her on the spot.
No wonder her elder brother had warned her to be cautious with this woman—she was a viper, ready to strike at any moment!
"There’s no need for me to attend any celebration. Your Majesty, it seems these negotiations have failed!"
The emperor’s expression stiffened, but Yan Zheng spoke calmly. "If that is the case, then let the young khan station his troops within the pass and endure the bitter cold for a while."
Meng Ji clenched her teeth.
Damn Yan Zheng—he had seen right through them!
Their southern warriors, accustomed to the grasslands, could not withstand the climate of the central plains. They could fight briefly, but prolonged garrison duty would weaken their morale.
Her elder brother had instructed her to use the two passes as leverage to extract concessions from the emperor—ideally, to reclaim Yan Zheng, but failing that, to demand as much silk, gold, and tea as possible.
Come spring, they would repeat the tactic until their forces were strong enough to march south and conquer the capital in one stroke.
"...Fine. Then fifty thousand bolts of silk, sixty thousand taels of gold, and forty thousand catties of tea—will that suffice?" Meng Ji spat the words through gritted teeth.
The emperor slammed the table. "Agreed!"
By the time they left the palace, night had fallen.
Chu Huaishan and Lady Jiang the Younger looked at their three daughters—
Chu Ruolan seemed hollow, as if her soul had been drained away. Chu Ruoyin bit her lip, her delicate brows furrowed with worry.
Only Chu Ruoyan, who had just learned of her former husband’s impending marriage, remained composed, her expression serene.
Chu Huaishan realized he understood the younger generation less and less.
"Yan’er, if you are grieving—"
"I am not grieving." Chu Ruoyan smiled faintly, glancing at Chu Ruolan. "Tonight, I suspect someone else is suffering far more. But don’t worry, Third Sister—your fish isn’t dead yet. It still breathes."
Chu Ruolan stared at her blankly, as if she hadn’t comprehended a word.
Chu Ruoyan patted her shoulder lightly before stepping into the carriage.
Meanwhile, at the Princess’s residence—
Yan Zheng’s face was frosty. "What game are you playing now?"
An Sheng chuckled. "Do not be impatient, my son. This marriage serves our greater purpose." Seeing his impatience, she cut to the chase. "Originally, I had planned to act today—have Yan Zhao kill the emperor, install the second prince, and have you serve as regent. But somehow, the Ninth Prince interfered. No matter. Your wedding day will serve just as well."
Yan Zheng arched a brow. "My wedding?"
"Indeed. On the day of the Chief Minister’s wedding, who in the capital would dare not attend? With the city’s defenses weakened, you can leave to mobilize troops. If I recall correctly, the Western Mountain Garrison is nearby?"
Yan Zheng fell silent before letting out a cold laugh. "A clever scheme."
The Western Mountain Garrison, tasked with defending the capital, boasted fifty thousand soldiers.
Crucially, its officers and men were all veterans of the Yan family army, loyal only to the tiger tally and nothing else.
If he could command this force and march on the capital, the twenty thousand troops of the Five City Military Commission would be no match.
But An Sheng’s plan had one flaw—if the Western Mountain Garrison truly fell into his hands…
"Rest assured, Zheng’er. Governor Ling of the Western Mountain Garrison is one of ours. Present the order, and he will obey. However, given that most of the garrison consists of Yan family loyalists, only you, as the Yan heir, can ensure their cooperation without suspicion. That is why you must go personally."
Yan Zheng lowered his lashes, then suddenly turned toward the door. "Who’s there?"
A timid figure stood at the threshold, her eyes wide with terror. "You—you’re plotting rebellion?!"
Yan Zheng smirked and looked away, but An Sheng beckoned warmly. "Su’er, come in."
Rong Su shook her head fearfully, stepping back.
An Sheng sighed, and in the next moment, Yu Hui materialized behind Rong Su, his voice icy. "Second Miss Rong, step inside."
Trembling, Rong Su had no choice but to enter.
An Sheng took her hand gently, her voice soothing. "Su’er, don’t be afraid. On such a joyous occasion, the groom’s absence would raise suspicion. That’s why we need your help as the bride."
Rong Su pressed her lips together, shaking her head frantically.
An Sheng’s voice grew even sweeter. "Don’t you want this? Think—if Zheng’er becomes emperor, you will be the empress, second only to him in the entire palace. Isn’t that wonderful?"
"But—but this is treason!"
"No, it is the dawn of a glorious new era." An Sheng guided her to a seat, patting her hand reassuringly. "Dear Su’er, consider—what has our current emperor achieved since ascending the throne? He lost Hangu Pass, then Tiger Cage Pass. Loyal ministers died unjustly, and even Zheng’er nearly lost his life seeking justice for his father. But if Zheng’er were emperor?"
Her voice took on a hypnotic quality. "Zheng’er would be a diligent ruler, versed in military strategy. He could lead campaigns to reclaim lost lands. Wouldn’t that be far better than the present?"
Rong Su wavered, her last thread of resistance fraying. "But Father said…"
"Su'er," An Sheng interrupted her, gently turning Rong Su's face toward her. "Your father is old—too set in his ways. Why should you be bound by his words? Tell me, do you not believe your Third Brother Yan would make a good emperor?"
Rong Su's breath quickened as she shook her head vehemently. "I do believe it!"
An Sheng smiled knowingly. "Then it seems... you've agreed?"
Clenching her fists, Rong Su steeled herself. "I—I will help Third Brother!"
An Sheng gave a satisfied nod, while Yan Zheng thought of Sun Cai and curled his lips in a mocking smirk.
When it came to swaying hearts, no one in this world could rival her.
The next two days were spent in fervent preparation for the grand wedding.
On the afternoon of the third day, at the Duke of Chu's Mansion...
Chu Ruoyan was basking in the courtyard sunlight when she suddenly spotted Murong Jin heading toward her father's study.
Curious, she narrowed her eyes and summoned Yulu to inquire. Only then did she learn that not only had Murong Jin arrived, but Jian'an Count Su Tingyun and others had gathered as well.
Fearing these uninformed men might create obstacles for Yan Zheng, she hurriedly rose and made her way to her father's study.
Just as she stepped into the courtyard, Jian'an Count's voice rang out from inside: "We've received word—Yan Zheng plans to leave the city on the night of the wedding and march to the Western Mountain Camp to mobilize troops. We must intercept him on the road before he can return and besiege the capital with his army!"
